by Cameron Dane
“I'll face it. I just want some evidence to back up our theory first.”
Max popped her head into the office. “Forensics is on the phone waiting to talk to us. The boss just got in. Let's go.”
After getting up, Jace paused as Cade locked the war room door, and then together they walked to the sheriff's office. As they entered, they each nodded at Duke. Cade took up a stance against a low file cabinet, and Jace sat down in the second visitor chair in front of Duke's desk, next to Max.
Duke pressed a button on his phone and said, “Okay, Robyn, we're all here. Give us what you have so far.”
“We are swamped here, guys.” Robyn's familiar voice filled the room. “I'm going to make this quick. Please listen up. Your vic had her neck snapped, and it severed her spine. A clean break, not easy to do. The body was kept on ice before your perp attached her to that tree. Light frostbite burned her back, buttocks, and down her legs. I have to wait for toxicology, but all her organs look good, her nasal cavity was intact, and her arms and inner thighs were free of needle scars, so I'd say she was probably clean. We estimate the TOD somewhere between ten p.m. and three a.m. I can tell you the nails used were industrial-grade stainless steel, smooth common grade, sixty-penny or six-inch length. Very easy to find. Her vaginal and anal canals were still intact, and my guy could see none of the traditional signs of sexual assault. We did swabs and will let you know if foreign DNA shows up. He does confirm defensive wounds, but she didn't have any skin tags or blood left under the remaining fingernails. We turned up two partial prints on the body, and we'll run them through the various databases. If we get a hit, I'll let you know. So far, that's what I have for you.”
“All right.” Duke rubbed the stubble on his jaw. “Thank your people for working this victim into the rotation so quickly. I appreciate it.”
“Let's hope the info can help.” A curse came through the phone, and then a muted “I'm coming!” Robyn's voice returned to normal volume, and she said, “Listen. I'm getting waves for my attention from three people. I have to go.”
“Good luck with your quad case.” Duke spoke for the group. “I'll be in touch.”
“Right. Bye.” Robyn hung up, and Duke pushed a button on his phone, ending the buzzing noise of the open line.
“A cleanly snapped neck,” Jace said, thinking aloud. “Someone with military training maybe?”
“It's something to look for in the history of any possible suspect,” Duke answered. “We don't rule out anything.”
“Understood.”
A knock sounded at the door. After Duke called out, “Come in,” Carson and Juan entered the office.
“Good news.” Carson looked like a jumping bean about ready to burst out of its shell. “We know who Beth is and where she lives.”
Everyone in the room suddenly sat up straight, exhaustion gone from their collective postures.
Jace shifted back to Duke as the man said, “All right, everybody. Get me up to speed so we can figure out who needs to be doing what.”
Carson and Juan grabbed some wall space, and everyone exchanged evidence, facts, and theories.
Prostitution included.
* * * *
“Thank you.” Jasper accepted his change from the clerk and put it in the front pocket of his jeans. He grabbed his bag off the counter and gave a little wave. “You have a nice day.”
The older woman at the register winked at him. “You too, honey. Bye.” She shifted her attention to the next person in line, and Jasper walked out of the bookstore.
Next, he popped into the local card shop, had the young girl there help him pick out a gift bag, and waited while she put his book purchase in the bag, stuffed it with the tissue, and made his present for Sarah look nice. After thanking her, Jasper left the store and peeked into storefront windows as he made his way back to the lot where he parked his truck.
Not in any particular hurry, Jasper took his time and tried to enjoy the pretty afternoon. Sarah had called him, as promised, so he knew she was all right and that she wouldn't be home for at least another hour. He appreciated that she gave him the respect of the phone call, even if he didn't like her hanging out with that too-cool dude. Jasper knew he wouldn't much like it if she were to tell him who his friends could and couldn't be, though, so he understood he didn't rightly have a leg to stand on with the reverse.
Chuckling, Jasper shook his head, smiling as he turned and weaved his way through lines of parked cars to get to his truck. In so many ways, Sarah had him feeling like a jealous kid who didn't want to share his favorite thing in the world, but at the same time, being around her, he'd learned how to stop and think before he spoke or acted on his first gut impulses. God willing, he would never do something as stupid as slashing someone's tires again.
He had a good life now, something worth a damn to him. Someone worth something to him.
Sarah.
Shoot, he hoped to surprise her with the book he just bought her. It was one of them big coffee-table deals with a ton of modern art pictures, sculptures, and other kinds of art stuff that Jasper didn't understand one damn bit. Sarah wanted it, though, but said she couldn't justify spending the money right now. She had looked at it wistfully one day while they were out shopping, and Jasper hadn't forgotten about it.
She was really gonna love it.
I wonder what Jace would love? Jasper pulled up short at his truck, his heart suddenly squeezing in nearly the same way as when he thought about Sarah. Another thought followed, tugging at Jasper's core. I want Jace to smile…for me.
“Well don't you just look like a pig in shit.” A voice Jasper never thought he'd hear again sounded behind him. “I guess I don't have to ask how you're doing, little brother.”
Jasper spun around. Holy mother of God. It couldn't be. “Samuel,” Jasper uttered, recognizing his brother even after nearly eight years without contact. Samuel stood at roughly the same height as Jasper, but he had wider, thicker shoulders, with a rounded stomach and ruddy face that bespoke of his apparent continued love affair with beer. His blond hair hung halfway down his back, and hazel eyes that were a mirror of Jasper's pierced him with cold.
His blood flooding with adrenaline, Jasper fought revealing evidence of his immediate fear. “Wh-what are you doin' here?”
“What?” Samuel opened his arms wide. “No hug for your only family? I'm hurt.”
Jasper struggled to keep his breathing even and his body from shaking. “Why aren't you in prison?”
Samuel cocked his head and leaned his hip against the front of Jasper's truck, looking like he planned to stay awhile. “For what?”
Heat consumed Jasper, burning off his case of nerves. “I know you raped someone. They had DNA proof. I know, because you almost ruined my life when it turned up.” Samuel's DNA had linked Jasper as a sibling, and that had led to law enforcement accusing him of poisoning Willow Stream, due to some cigarette butts left at the crime scene with his DNA on them. Even though Jasper had not poisoned the stream, smoking on Hawkins property was against the rules. That cigarette he'd smoked had brought about Caleb's firing him, and in a tailspin, Jasper slashing Caleb's tires.
All because of my criminal brother.
Jasper stopped and pressed his lips together. “No, that ain't right for me to blame you for my trouble,” Jasper said. “I made those choices, and I live with them. But that don't make what they found of you inside that woman any less true. The sheriff here in Quinten told me they were gonna arrest you.”
“Being arrested and being convicted ain't the same thing, little brother,” Samuel said easily. “I did not rape that girl. We had some excitable fun that got a little rough, but she was willing all the way.” A horrible glint flashed in Samuel's eyes. “She remembered it right and changed her story soon enough.”
This time, Jasper could not control the shiver that trickled down his spine. “Why are you here?” He palmed his keys from his pocket and backed up to his door. “What do you want? How long have y
ou been in town?”
“So many questions.” Samuel tsk-tsked, and his flippancy made Jasper's skin crawl even more. “I missed my baby brother; I want to get to know him again, and finally, I've been here long enough to see that you have yourself a sweet little girlfriend now.” Samuel pushed away from the truck and suddenly looked ten feet tall and hulking. “That's real nice. I can't wait to get to know her better. Shit”—Jasper swore to God Samuel rubbed his hand over his cock—“she's nearly family.”
“No fuckin' way.” Jasper pushed into Samuel's space and felt his body expand with rage. “You stay away from her. I swear to God if you get within five feet of her, I will kill you.”
Samuel stepped back and put his hands up in between them. “Now, now. Don't go threatening me. I thought you were trying to better yourself. Live yourself a straight, honest, boring-as-fuck little life here.”
“I'll liven it up for this.” Jasper opened his door and climbed inside. After starting the engine, he rolled down the window and pointed his finger at Samuel. “Stay away from her. I ain't foolin' around.”
“Can't exactly promise that.” Samuel's conciliatory tone twisted cramps in Jasper's stomach. “I'm here to renew our brotherhood, and in order to do that, I gotta make sure you're hanging out with people who want you to have a good life. Including your girl.”
“You don't give a shit about me,” Jasper snapped, his voice rough as emotion took over his words. “You never did. You're here for somethin', Samuel; I know that. Whatever it is, I don't want any part of it. Stay out of my life.” Thoughts of Sarah, and her coming to harm, scraped Jasper raw. “Every damn part of it.”
“I don't think so.”
“It ain't up to you.” Jasper gunned the gas and tore the hell out of the parking lot. He got himself a few blocks away before he had to pull over and get himself back under control.
Sarah. Oh my God, Sarah. Jasper slammed his hands into his dashboard. What in the hell am I going to do?
Chapter Nine
Jace opened the front door and let himself inside the house, taking a break for the first time that day. He was home just long enough to get some dinner and relax for a short while. Then he would head right back to the station. Tension locked his neck and shoulders, and he would kill to stand under a hot shower and let the water beat down on him until the temperature turned cold and he had to get out. Ignoring that desire, Jace removed his utility belt, left it by the door, and walked into the kitchen to the fridge. He opened it on automatic, thinking a beer wouldn't be a bad substitute for that shower.
He kicked the door closed before he even looked at the amber glass bottles inside. “Son of a bitch.” He leaned his forehead against the freezer but could practically feel the alcohol within this big box calling him to take just one swig. “I need to throw those damn things away.”
“That might not be a bad idea.” Sarah spoke from behind and pinned Jace to the fridge. “I know, I know; it's up to me.” Tapping his head against the refrigerator, Jace embraced the small self-abuse. “I have to be the one to take the stuff out of this house for good.” The familiarity of the conversation, while irritating to hear, was also strangely comforting.
“You know I hope you will,” Sarah responded. “But you also know I can't do it for you.” She crossed the kitchen and came up behind him, arousing Jace's senses with her clean powder scent. Slipping her hand in his, she tugged him around and led him into the living room. Her slight touch somehow warmed his entire body and released some of the tightness living inside him. “I could make you a milkshake if you want.”
When she released him, Jace eased into his chair carefully, almost like a creaky old man. “We don't have any milk or ice cream,” he said. “Remember?”
She perched herself on the edge of the coffee table in front of him. “I went to the store.” She met his gaze, snared him in her stare, and started simmering the warmth she had just created
within him to a boil. “You have too much going on right now to spend your time combing the grocery aisles. I'm not without sympathy, even though I do so love to bug you when it's your turn to shop. You can double up sometime down the line and make it up to me. So what do you say? Chocolate milkshake? I even bought you some of those awful frozen pocket things you like. Want one?”
Jace leaned forward in his chair, pulled into the sphere of Sarah's beauty. She had the softest, kindest smile, and he craved feeling her lips turned up against his, wearing that smile, as much as tasting her actual mouth. Sarah never hid her gaze from him, and that level of honesty sucked Jace in, making him want things he should not.
Abruptly, he pulled back before he touched. But Christ, he had never fought the need to kiss this woman harder than right now. “Thank you. I would appreciate that.”
She petted his knee and stood. “You would do the same for me.”
Jace sat, watching as Sarah left the room. Her ass enticed him, and another one of his
cravings rose to the surface. Exhausted but unable to sit in one place, he stood and circled the perimeter of the living room, feeling caged. Talking to Ginger's friend Beth had confirmed the girl had no previous knowledge of the murder, but Jace didn't feel confident regarding anything else about that woman. Beth hadn't faked her reaction to Ginger's death; Jace and Cade both felt certain of that. Contrary to popular belief, it was a lot harder to fake “surprise” when hearing about a family member or friend's death than movies and television would have people believe. People's faces went through a progression of subtle visual responses as they heard, processed, and reacted to difficult information. No, Beth had not known of Ginger's murder.
But that didn't mean the woman didn't have plenty of other information about Ginger, stuff she had not shared.
Jace had pushed Beth a bit in their talk a short while ago, but for all her shock, she had an intelligence and cool head under pressure that let nothing slip she didn't want known. Jace could feel it in his very bones. Beth might only know about Ginger's prostitution—if that hunch turned out to be true—and simply wanted to protect her friend. If she did know about it, she might also know the names of some of those men and even which one might be capable of murder.
I have to talk to her again.
A shadow interrupted Jace's stare down at the floor. Looking up, he caught Sarah standing in the arch that led to the kitchen, a glass in her hand, with her shoulder pressed against the wood framing. Damn, she looked pretty as hell in her strappy little sundress.
She stared, scrutinizing him, and the hairs on Jace's neck tingled. “What?” Damn, he probably didn't really want to know.
“I need you to be honest with me.” She handed him the milkshake, but for the sudden dryness in his mouth, he still set the glass down on a bookshelf, untouched.
“Okay.”
“Did you say something to Jasper after I left? Did you intimidate or threaten him in any way about being with me and run him off?”
Jace went from slouching to ramrod straight. “What the fuck are you implying?” He narrowed his gaze and leaned into her space.
“I'm not implying anything.” Sarah got up on her tiptoes and pushed right back, as if Jace didn't tower over her five-feet-nine frame. “I'm outright asking.”
Growling and curling his hands into fists, Jace said, “No, I did not intimidate your boyfriend. And by the way, if I did—if I could—that's probably not a boyfriend you want.”
“Don't act so angry and offended. Jasper's not here like we talked about earlier, and he hasn't returned any of my phone calls since we made plans to meet. It wouldn't be the first time you overwhelmed one of my boyfriends with your size and your job and your overbearing attitude about protecting me.”
His nostrils flaring and his temperature rising, Jace braced his hand on the wall and dipped down until they were on eye level. “Do you goddamn expect me to apologize for that?” He spoke with deadly softness. “Because I won't, sweetheart. I gave my word.”
“Oh my God!” Her face flushed,
Sarah shoved Jace away from her. He stumbled back a few steps, but she stalked him just as quickly as she'd pushed him away, crowding him into the back of the couch. “Not that damned vow again. I know you made a promise. I appreciate it and even needed you, which you damn well know, because I've told you so. But I am twenty-four years old now, for goodness' sake.” On a rant, she stopped suddenly and pierced him with a narrow-eyed stare. “You know what? You will not drag me into that fight again. Don't try to steer the subject away from what we were talking about. Did. You. Run. Jasper. Off?” She jabbed her finger into his chest with each word, firing his already shot temper to dangerous levels. “I'm asking you a question.”
He snapped back at her through clamped teeth and tight lips. “No. I. Did. Not.”
“You said something to him,” Sarah replied hotly. “I know it. You wouldn't be able to help yourself. I know you.”
Christ, she's pushing my mood today. And I fucking want her more than I ever thought possible.
“You might think you know me, honey”—he looked her up and down, barely suppressing the moan at all the bare skin available with her in that dress—“but you haven't scratched the surface.”
Sarah lifted her hand to his face and scraped one of her short, fuck-me red colored fingernails against his jaw. “There.” She flashed a fast smile and smirk. “Now I have.”
Jace grabbed her hand before she could get away. “That was not a smart move.”
“I don't know about that.” Sarah's eyes flashed fire, and her arm muscles strained as she struggled against his hold. Her chest heaved, lifting her breasts in a rapid rise and fall…and pushing her hardened nipples against the pale floral fabric of her dress.
She's turned on. Jace tried to take a deep breath and recover from the information, but inhaling just let her very essence sneak into him in another way, hitting him hard in the gut.
Her lips parting, Sarah looked up at him, awareness deepening the brown of her eyes. “You shouldn't—”
